Bayonne, NJ Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)

City Code § 3-1.6, Table I, sets the Maximum Permissible A-Weighted Sound Levels that apply whenever sound from an industrial, commercial, public service, community service, residential, multi-use, right-of-way, public-space, or multi-dwelling source property reaches a receiving property. Outdoors, a residential receiving property (or the residential portion of a multi-use property) may not receive more than 65 dB between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., dropping to 50 dB between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. A commercial facility, public service facility, non-residential portion of a multi-use property, or community service facility is capped at 65 dB for all 24 hours.

Indoors, under § 3-1.5b and c, the same receiving categories are held to 55 dB daytime and 40 dB nighttime for residential space, and 55 dB around the clock for commercial space, measured with exterior doors and windows closed and other household sound sources off. Table II in § 3-1.7 adds octave-band sound-pressure ceilings for low-frequency content the A-weighted scale can miss. Enforcement is by certified Noise Control Officers using N.J.A.C. 7:29-2 measurement procedures, with impulsive sound separately capped at 80 dB under § 3-1.5d.

A violation draws an enforcement document, a Bayonne Municipal Court hearing, and the Chapter 1 § 1-5 penalty of up to $1,250 or 90 days, with each continuing day a separate offense under § 1-5.5.